Enterprise Ireland has appointed Dr Arthur Rosenthal, an internationally recognised expert in the medical technology field, as its life sciences ambassador to the US.

This follows earlier appointments of start-up ambassadors for key markets in the UK, China and the Middle East.

Rosenthal has spent more than 38 years developing medial-device technologies as an individual contributor, technology executive and serial entrepreneur.

He is recognised internationally as a leading expert in the field of medical technology and will now bring his experience to working closely with Enterprise Ireland to highlight Ireland and what it has to offer medical and related technology start-ups.

The ‘new diaspora’

The announcement follows the launch late last year of a €10m International Start-Up Fund to target investor-ready overseas entrepreneurs to start their businesses in Ireland.

Administered by Enterprise Ireland, the fund is open to company promoters anywhere in the world, but is targeted particularly at the Irish diaspora, international expatriates, the ‘new diaspora’ (people from overseas who have previously worked or studied in Ireland), as well as serial and mobile entrepreneurs.

In addition to the new Start-up Entrepreneur Programme visa initiative announced recently by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Alan Shatter, TD, this makes Ireland a highly attractive location in which to start and grow an international business.

Mobile entrepreneurs select Ireland

An increasing number of mobile international entrepreneurs are coming to Ireland as their location of choice to start a new business and from the volume of enquiries that Enterprise-Ireland has received, this trend is continuing in 2012.

“I am honoured by my appointment and embrace the opportunity to support the ongoing efforts in building a second-to-none environment for medical technology start ups,” Rosenthal said.